COUNCIL bosses have suspended a contract with a transport company after pupils were filmed coughing in a smoke-filled bus.
Youngsters from Our Lady’s High School in Cumbernauld are seen using their clothes to cover their mouths as the smoke swirls round them.
Monday’s footage shows the McNairn’s coach seem to fill with black smoke as youngster cough.
North Lanarkshire Council has since suspended the contract with McNairns Coaches and has appointed a new operator.
It is the second McNairn’s incident and comes after a coach travelling to St Ambrose High in Coatbridge filled with high levels of carbon monoxide.
A concerned mother posted on the Safety 1st On NLC School Buses Facebook page: “Our Lady’s High School Cumbernauld 16/4/18 McNairn coaches.
“This is how bus company transports our kids.
“Bus engine fumes/smoke belting inside of bus, driver response open the door while driving from school to Stepps while kids standing getting choked with fumes.
“Via the motorway.
“When it’s fatal I’m sure North Lanarkshire Council will listen or maybe when it’s their child.”
Coatbridge families organised a boycott of the buses last year in the hope something would be done.
A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Council said: “The safety of all our pupils is of paramount importance.
“SPT manage all school transport contracts on behalf of the council and a meeting took place today between them and the bus provider to discuss the incident which took place on Monday, April 16.
“A replacement bus has been provided.”
In March last year North Lanarkshire Council approved plans to introduce a requirement that all bus operators under sub contract to the council undertake a twice early MOT compliance check for all single deck and double deck buses.
It also introduced a maximum age of 20 years for any vehicles used by the council for the transport of children or adults.
McNairn Coaches was contacted for comment.
An SPT spokeswoman said: “The contract with the operator has been suspended by North Lanarkshire Council pending the results of further investigations into the incident.”
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